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Edward Hughes was born in Pentonville, London, the son of the artist George Hughes. From an early age his artistic ability was recognised. In 1846 he entered the Royal Academy schools and a year later was awarded a silver medal by the Royal Society of Arts for a chalk drawing.[1] Between 1847 and 1884 Hughes exhibited 36 paintings at the Royal Academy.[2] He also worked as an illustrator, collaborating with George du Maurier in producing the images for the Wilkie Collins book Poor Miss Finch.[3] About 1878 he moved more or less exclusively into portrait painting drawing praise from John Everett Millais for his representation of women. Hughes married twice and died in 1908. He is buried in Highgate Cemetery. His eldest daughter and biographer Alice Hughes became an important portrait photographer.[4]